Book of Days: asher553

I have officially left the People's Republic of Facebook.

It's good to stop every now and then and take a look at where you've been. Keeping a journal makes this easier; keeping an online journal makes it easier still. That's why I posted a three-part "Retrospective" here at LJ/DW. It's an opportunity to look back at your life, and think.

And the "thinking" part is what gives the whole thing its value. When there's no thinking involved, and the process is instead handled by a computer algorithm, you get this.

This poor guy is able to muster more forgiveness for the morons at Facebook than I'd have had is such circumstances. What absolute, callous thoughtlessness. And what kind of comfortable, sheltered lives must those young people lead, to assume that every one of FB's millions of users has had a fabulous year that they'll want to celebrate? The mind boggles.

Performed by The Piano Guys, via the ubiquitous FB. Enjoy.

In response to the new Facebook guidelines, which are barely distinguishable from the old Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is utterly invalid, because by the mere act of posting my personal details in a public forum, I have long since accepted that my right to privacy is worth less than a bucket of warm spit.

(Anyone reading this can copy this text and paste it on their Facebook Wall. This will place them under no protection whatsoever, but some people still believe in the efficacy of zinc-based cold remedies, and there's even less evidence for that.)

By the present communiqué, I notify Facebook that it is free to do anything it jolly well wants to do on the basis of this profile and/or its contents. The aforementioned waving of a white "surrender" flag also applies to employees, students, agents, henchmen, assassins, and/or any zombies under Facebook's direction or control. The content of this profile is no more private than the contents of a mobile phone call as the caller shouts to be heard over the roar of the city bus's engines. The violation of my privacy will be punished by nobody, no one, and nothing (4Q2 PDQ and the Rome Statute, whatever the hell that is).

Facebook is now, was then, and always will be a rapacious capitalistic overlord to which I have traded my privacy in exchange for a pleasant social service. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this if you have nothing better to do; or if you prefer, you may copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will publish it more than once, or never. There are no other choices.

How I wish I'd written this.

It was only a matter of time, but -
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/24/facebook-timeline_n_1228800.html

Nevertheless, there are some really kool things in the world. Otter Box for your cellphone is one of the koolest IMO. Stylish, sturdy, and helps you keep your grip. And if you're prone to abusing your phone - like a certain adolescent gentleman of my acquaintance - it's a must.

I'm getting in touch with my inner bardophile and preparing to start on the tetralogy, beginning with Richard 2. I watched Henry 4 + 5 on DVD a few years ago and loved the plays. Looking forward to experiencing the whole Henriad again from the beginning.

The job is going well - details in a flocked post. This morning was a challenge, but I think the toughest part is over.